Method for using soft physiotherapy instrument

ABSTRACT

A method for using soft physiotherapy instrument is provided. The method comprises providing a soft physiotherapy instrument comprising a flexible sheet and a controller, applying the flexible sheet of on a user&#39;s skin, and turning on the controller and selecting a function button on the controller, inputting a current to a plurality of functional layers in the flexible sheet, and stimulating user&#39;s skin with the current.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application is also related to copending applications entitled,“MASK-TYPE BEAUTY INSTRUMENT”, filed **** (Atty. Docket No. US79063);“METHOD FOR USING MASK-TYPE BEAUTY INSTRUMENT”, filed **** (Atty. DocketNo. US79064); “SOFT PHYSIOTHERAPY INSTRUMENT,” filed **** (Atty. DocketNo. US79065).

FIELD

The subject matter herein generally relates to a method for using a softphysiotherapy instrument.

BACKGROUND

With the continuous improvement of people's material living standards,people's demand for health is also increasing. Following this, variousphysiotherapy products are sell well. Most of the physiotherapy productson the market are made of hard materials, and the area that acts on thehuman body is also small, and the human body is not comfortable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by wayof embodiments, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a soft physiotherapy instrument accordingto a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an internal structure of the softphysiotherapy instrument in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the a soft physiotherapy instrumentprovided by the first embodiment applied to a clothes.

FIG. 4 shows a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image of a drawncarbon nanotube film.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of carbon nanotube segments in the drawncarbon nanotube film.

FIG. 6 shows an SEM image of a flocculated carbon nanotube film.

FIG. 7 shows an SEM image of a pressed carbon nanotube film.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a functional layer including a pluralityof carbon nanotube wires crossed with each other.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a functional layer including a pluralityof carbon nanotube wires weaved with each other.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a functional layer including a bended andwinded carbon nanotube wire.

FIG. 11 is an SEM image of an untwisted carbon nanotube wire.

FIG. 12 is an SEM image of a twisted carbon nanotube wire.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a soft physiotherapy instrument accordingto a second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart according to one embodiment showing a method forusing a soft physiotherapy instrument.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way oflimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereferences indicate similar elements. It should be noted that referencesto “another,” “an,” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are notnecessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at leastone.”

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among thedifferent figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Inaddition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, itwill be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that theembodiments described herein can be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have notbeen described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevantfeature being described. Also, the description is not to be consideredas limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawingsare not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts havebeen exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of thepresent disclosure.

Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now bepresented.

The term “contact” is defined as a direct and physical contact. The term“substantially” is defined to be that while essentially conforming tothe particular dimension, shape, or other feature that is described, thecomponent is not or need not be exactly conforming to the description.The term “comprising,” when utilized, means “including, but notnecessarily limited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusionor membership in the so-described combination, group, series, and thelike.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a soft physiotherapy instrument 10 accordingto a first embodiment is provided. The soft physiotherapy instrument 10includes a flexible sheet 100, a controller 112 and a connection wire114, the controller 112 is used for controlling the flexible sheet 100via the connection wire 114. The controller 112 is movably connectedwith the flexible sheet 100 via the connection wire 114. The flexiblesheet 100 includes a first flexible layer 102 and a second flexiblelayer 106 overlapped with each other (for clarity of display, in FIG. 2,the first flexible layer 102 and the second flexible layer 106 areseparately shown), the first flexible layer 102 and the second flexiblelayer 106 have corresponding eye and mouth openings (not labeled). Theflexible sheet 100 further includes a plurality of functional layers 104sandwiched between the first flexible layer 102 and the second flexiblelayer 106, the plurality of functional layers 104 are symmetricallydistributed or regularly distributed, and a plurality of electrodes 108,each of the plurality of electrodes 108 is electrically connected with asingle functional layer 104 or a pair of functional layers 104. Thecontroller 112 is electrically connected with the plurality ofelectrodes 108 via the connection wire.

The flexible sheet 100 defines a first region (not labeled) and a secondregion (not labeled). The plurality of functional layers 104 comprises aplurality of first functional layers 104 a and a plurality of secondfunctional layers 104 b. The plurality of first functional layers 104 aare located in the first region. The plurality of second functionallayers 104 b are located in the second region. A quantity of the firstfunctional layers 104 a is 2K, a quantity of the second functionallayers 104 b is M, and K is greater than or equal to M. The 2K firstfunctional layers 104 a are symmetrically distributed on the firstregion of flexible sheet 100. Each pairs of first functional layers 104a are symmetrically distributed at a left column and a right column andare electrically connected with one electrode 108 of the plurality ofelectrodes 108. That is, K first functional layers 104 a are located atthe left column, the other K first functional layers 104 a are locatedat the right column. And, a quantity of the plurality of electrodes 108is K. Each of the plurality of electrodes 108 is numbered as 1, 2, 3 . .. K, and two electrodes with adjacent numbers are electrically connectedwith adjacent pairs of first functional layers 104 a. A quantity ofpairs of the first functional layers 104 a is the same as the quantityof the electrodes 108, and number of each pair of the first functionallayers 104 a is the same as the number of electrode 108 electricallyconnected with the pair of first functional layers 104 a. Each of theplurality of second functional layers 104 b is electrically connectedwith one electrode. Numbers of two electrodes electrically connectedwith adjacent second functional layers 104 b is x and y, and adifference between x and y is greater than or equal to 2.

Areas of the plurality of functional layers can be different and can beadjusted as required. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, thequantity of plurality of first functional layers 104 a is 8, of whichthe 8 first functional layers 104 a are symmetrically distributed in thefirst region of the flexible facial mask 100; and 2 second functionallayers 104 b are located in the second region of the flexible facialmask 100. Each electrode 108 is numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4 in order fromthe left to the right of the end position connected to the controller112, corresponding to the number of the electrode 108, and each pair ofsymmetrical main functional layers 104 a are sequentially numbered fromtop to bottom of the flexible facial mask 100. In the second region, oneof the second functional layers 104 b is electrically connected to theelectrode 108 numbered 1, and the other functional layer 104 b isconnected to the electrode numbered 4. That is, the difference between xand y is 3.

The controller 112 is configured to control the plurality of functionallayers 104 in the flexible sheet 100 through the K electrodes 108. The Kelectrodes extend from the inside of the flexible facial mask 100 andconverge in the connection wire 114, and the controller 112 is connectedwith the flexible sheet 100 through the connection wire 114. Thecontroller 112 comprises a plurality of buttons for controlling theflexible sheet 100. The controller 112 is used to input a voltagebetween two of the plurality of electrodes 108 to produce current in theplurality of functional layers 104. A circuit is formed between thecontroller, the two of the plurality of electrodes 108, the plurality offunctional layers 104 electrically connected with the two of theplurality of electrodes 108, and the skin of the user. As such, thecurrent flows through the controller, the two of the plurality ofelectrodes 108, the plurality of functional layers 104 electricallyconnected with the two of the plurality of electrodes 108, and the skinof the user. Each of the plurality of function buttons can control thecurrent magnitude, the frequency of the current, the position of theinput current, etc., to control the plurality of functional layers 104inside the flexible sheet 100. The flexible sheet 100 can be movablycoupled to the controller 200. Optionally, the first flexible layer 102or the second flexible layer 106 can include a window 110, and theplurality of electrodes 108 a first electrode lead 114 and a secondelectrode lead 116 are exposed from the window 110 and electricallyconnected to the controller 200 via a plurality of lead wires 108 a. Thewindow 110 is provided with an access port through which the controller200 is connected to the flexible sheet 100. The flexible sheet 100 canbe replaced as needed. The flexible sheet 100 can also be cleaned forreuse.

The K electrodes 108 are electrically connected to the K pairs of firstfunctional layers 104 a, and at the same time, are electricallyconnected to the M second functional layers 104 b. This connection modedoes not require additional electrodes to be electrically connected tothe M second functional layers 104 b except the K electrodes 108. Thequantity of electrodes 108 is saved. Since the K electrodes 108 extendfrom the flexible sheet 100 and converge in the connection wire 114, thediameter of the connection wire 114 can be small. It can be understoodthat the smaller the diameter of the connection wire 114, the better theflexibility of the connection wire 114. The flexible sheet 100 and thecontroller 112 are connected by the connection wire 114. The better theflexibility of the connecting wire 114, the better the user experience.

Each of the plurality of electrodes 108 is electrically connected with apair of first functional layers 104 a. In use of the soft physiotherapyinstrument 10, the flexible sheet 100 is applied on a user's skin, and avoltage is applied to two electrodes 108, the voltage is applied betweenthe two electrodes 108 in cycles of 1 and 2, 2 and 3, 3 and 4 . . . K-1and K, so as to circulate the two pairs of first functional layers 104 acorresponding to each two electrodes 108. A loop is formed between thecontroller 112, the two electrodes 108, two pairs of first functionallayers 104 a, the skin of the user between the two first functionallayers 104 a on one side, the skin of the user between the two firstfunctional layers 104 a on the other side. A current is generated in theloop, as such, the skin of the user between the two first functionallayers 104 a on one side and the skin of the user between the two firstfunctional layers 104 a on the other side are stimulated. The twoelectrodes 108 with two neighbor number, e,g., K-1 and K, are connectedwith the two pair of first functional layer 104 a, wherein the twofunctional layers 104 a on the same side are located adjacent with eachother and named adjacent functional layers, and there is no otherfunctional layer 104 a located between the adjacent functional layers onthe same side. The user's skin located between the adjacent functionallayers is stimulated. In this way, by sequentially or selectivelyapplying voltage to the two electrodes 108 with adjacent numbers, thepurpose of sequentially or selectively stimulating the skin of the userat different positions in the first region can be achieved.

The controller 112 can also input a voltage between two electrodes 108that are not adjacent in number. When the difference between the numbersx and y of the two electrodes 108 is greater than or equal to 2, the twopairs of first function layers 104 a corresponding to the two electrodes108 comprises two first functional layers 104 a on the same sideseparated with each other. The two first functional layers 104 a on thesame side is separated by at least one first functional layer 104 a onthe same side of the flexible sheet 100. Even if a loop is formedbetween the controller 112, the two electrodes 108, two pairs of firstfunctional layers 104 a, the skin of the user between the two firstfunctional layers 104 a on one side, the skin of the user between thetwo first functional layers 104 a on the other side, since the two firstfunctional layers 104 a are farther apart on the same side of theflexible sheet 100, the skin between the two first functional layer 104a has a large area, the electrical resistance of the skin is relativelylarge, and the current generated at this time will be very small, andthe user basically cannot feel it. On the other hand, when the twoelectrodes 108 numbered x and y are respectively connected to two secondfunctional layers 104 b, input voltage on the two electrodes 108, thenanother loop is formed between the two electrodes 108, the two secondfunctional layers 104 b, the facial skin between the two secondfunctional layers 104 b and the controller 112. Since the twoelectrically connected second functional layers 104 b are adjacent toeach other, the current value is relatively large, which can stimulatethe skin between the two secondary functional layers 104 b. As such, theskin in the second area is stimulated. Therefore, when the controller112 chooses to apply a voltage between two electrodes 108 that havenumbers not adjacent, it will not stimulate the skin between the firstfunctional layers 104 a in the first region, but it can stimulate theskin between the second functional layers 104 b in the second region.

A material of the first flexible layer 102 or the second flexible layer106 can be a flexible material such as non-woven fabric, silk, flexiblecloth, porous flexible paper, or silica gel, and can be directlyattached to a person's skin. A thickness of the first flexible layer 102or the second flexible layer 106 can be set according to actual needs.In this embodiment, the thickness of the first flexible layer 102 or thesecond flexible layer 106 is in a range from 10 to 100 micrometers. Inuse of the soft physiotherapy instrument, the second flexible layer 106will be directly attached on a skin. The second flexible layer 106 canhave a porous structure.

The flexible sheet 100 can be applied to any part of the human body,such as the back, legs, knees, and abdomen. The flexible sheet 100 canalso be a part of clothes or other wearables. Please refer to FIG. 3,the flexible sheet 100 can be arranged on a clothes (not labeled) toserve as a shoulder and neck physiotherapy device, and the controller112 can be built into clothing. It can be understood that, in otherembodiments, the controller may also be placed outside the clothes. Theflexible sheet 100 can also be directly made into clothing or otherwearing objects.

A material of the electrode 108 can be metal, alloy, indium tin oxide(ITO), antimony tin oxide (ATO), conductive silver paste, conductivepolymer, or conductive carbon nanotube. The metal or the alloy can bealuminum, copper, tungsten, molybdenum, gold, titanium, rhodium,palladium, iridium, or any alloy thereof. In this embodiment, the Kelectrodes 108 are all copper wires with a diameter of 1 micrometer.Preferably, an insulating layer can be coated on the out surface of eachof the K electrodes 108. A material of the insulating layer can be aflexible material.

Each of the plurality of functional layer 104 can comprise a carbonnanotube layer or can be the carbon nanotube layer. The carbon nanotubelayer includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes joined by van der Waalsattractive force therebetween. The carbon nanotube layer can be asubstantially pure structure of carbon nanotubes, with few impurities.The carbon nanotube layer can be a freestanding structure, that is, thecarbon nanotube layer can be supported by itself without a substrate.For example, if at least one point of the carbon nanotube layer is held,the entire carbon nanotube layer can be lifted while remaining itsstructural integrity.

The carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube layer can be orderly ordisorderly arranged. The term ‘disordered carbon nanotube layer’ refersto a structure where the carbon nanotubes are arranged along differentdirections, and the aligning directions of the carbon nanotubes arerandom. The number of the carbon nanotubes arranged along each differentdirection can be almost the same (e.g. uniformly disordered). Thedisordered carbon nanotube layer can be isotropic, namely the carbonnanotube layer has properties identical in all directions of the carbonnanotube layer. The carbon nanotubes in the disordered carbon nanotubelayer can be entangled with each other.

The carbon nanotube layer including ordered carbon nanotubes is anordered carbon nanotube layer. The term ‘ordered carbon nanotube layer’refers to a structure where the carbon nanotubes are arranged in aconsistently systematic manner, e.g., the carbon nanotubes are arrangedapproximately along a same direction and/or have two or more sectionswithin each of which the carbon nanotubes are arranged approximatelyalong a same direction (different sections can have differentdirections). The carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube layer can beselected from single-walled, double-walled, and/or multi-walled carbonnanotubes. The carbon nanotube layer may include at least one carbonnanotube film. In other embodiments, the carbon nanotube layer iscomposed of one carbon nanotube film or at least two carbon nanotubefilms. In other embodiment, the carbon nanotube layer consists onecarbon nanotube film or at least two carbon nanotube films.

In one embodiment, the carbon nanotube film can be a drawn carbonnanotube film. Referring to FIG. 4, the drawn carbon nanotube filmincludes a number of successive and oriented carbon nanotubes joinedend-to-end by van der Waals attractive force therebetween. The drawncarbon nanotube film is a freestanding film. Each drawn carbon nanotubefilm includes a number of successively oriented carbon nanotube segmentsjoined end-to-end by van der Waals attractive force therebetween.Referring to FIG. 5, each carbon nanotube segment 143 includes a numberof carbon nanotubes 145 substantially parallel to each other, and joinedby van der Waals attractive force therebetween. Some variations canoccur in the drawn carbon nanotube film. The carbon nanotubes in thedrawn carbon nanotube film are oriented along a preferred orientation.The drawn carbon nanotube film can be treated with an organic solvent toincrease mechanical strength and toughness of the drawn carbon nanotubefilm and reduce coefficient of friction of the drawn carbon nanotubefilm. A thickness of the drawn carbon nanotube film may range from about0.5 nanometers to about 100 micrometers. The drawn carbon nanotube filmcan be used as a carbon nanotube layer directly.

The carbon nanotubes in the drawn carbon nanotube film can besingle-walled, double-walled, and/or multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Thediameters of the single-walled carbon nanotubes may range from about 0.5nanometers to about 50 nanometers. The diameters of the double-walledcarbon nanotubes may range from about 1 nanometer to about 50nanometers. The diameters of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes may rangefrom about 1.5 nanometers to about 50 nanometers. The lengths of thecarbon nanotubes may range from about 200 micrometers to about 900micrometers.

The carbon nanotube layer may include at least two stacked drawn carbonnanotube films. The carbon nanotubes in the drawn carbon nanotube filmare aligned along one preferred orientation, an angle can exist betweenthe orientations of carbon nanotubes in adjacent drawn carbon nanotubefilms, whether stacked or adjacent. An angle between the aligneddirections of the carbon nanotubes in two adjacent drawn carbon nanotubefilms may range from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees (e.g. about 15degrees, 45 degrees, or 60 degrees).

In other embodiments, the carbon nanotube film can be a flocculatedcarbon nanotube film. Referring to FIG. 6, the flocculated carbonnanotube film may include a plurality of long, curved, and disorderedcarbon nanotubes entangled with each other. Furthermore, the flocculatedcarbon nanotube film can be isotropic. The carbon nanotubes can besubstantially uniformly dispersed in the flocculated carbon nanotubefilm. Adjacent carbon nanotubes are acted upon by van der Waalsattractive force to obtain an entangled structure with microporesdefined therein. Because the carbon nanotubes in the flocculated carbonnanotube film are entangled with each other, the carbon nanotube layeremploying the flocculated carbon nanotube film has excellent durability,and can be fashioned into desired shapes with a low risk to theintegrity of the carbon nanotube layer. A thickness of the flocculatedcarbon nanotube film may range from about 0.5 nanometers to about 1millimeter.

Referring to FIG. 7, in other embodiments, the carbon nanotube film canbe a pressed carbon nanotube film. The pressed carbon nanotube film isformed by pressing a carbon nanotube array. The carbon nanotubes in thepressed carbon nanotube film are arranged along a same direction oralong different directions. The carbon nanotubes in the pressed carbonnanotube film can rest upon each other. Adjacent carbon nanotubes areattracted to each other and are joined by van der Waals attractiveforce. An angle between a primary alignment direction of the carbonnanotubes and a surskin of the pressed carbon nanotube film is in arange from 0 degrees to 15 degrees. The greater the pressure applied,the smaller the angle obtained. In one embodiment, the carbon nanotubesin the pressed carbon nanotube film are arranged along differentdirections, the carbon nanotube layer can be isotropic. A thickness ofthe pressed carbon nanotube film may range from about 0.5 nanometers toabout 1 millimeter.

In some embodiments, the carbon nanotube layer may include a pluralityof carbon nanotube wires. Referring to FIG. 8, a plurality of carbonnanotube wires 16 can be crossed with each other to form the carbonnanotube layer. Referring to FIG. 9, a plurality of carbon nanotubewires 16 can be waved with each other to form the carbon nanotube layer.In other embodiments, the carbon nanotube layer may include only onecarbon nanotube wire. Referring to FIG. 10, one carbon nanotube wire 16can be bended to form the carbon nanotube layer.

The carbon nanotube wire can be untwisted or twisted. Referring to FIG.11, an untwisted carbon nanotube wire includes a plurality of carbonnanotubes substantially oriented along a same direction (i.e., adirection along the length direction of the untwisted carbon nanotubewire). The untwisted carbon nanotube wire can be a pure structure ofcarbon nanotubes. The untwisted carbon nanotube wire can be afreestanding structure. The carbon nanotubes are substantially parallelto the axis of the untwisted carbon nanotube wire. In one embodiment,the untwisted carbon nanotube wire may include a plurality of successivecarbon nanotube segments joined end to end by van der Waals attractiveforce therebetween. Each carbon nanotube segment may include a pluralityof carbon nanotubes substantially parallel to each other, and combinedby van der Waals attractive force therebetween. The carbon nanotubesegments can vary in width, thickness, uniformity, and shape. The lengthof the untwisted carbon nanotube wire can be arbitrarily set as desired.A diameter of the untwisted carbon nanotube wire may range from about 50nanometers to about 100 micrometers.

Referring to FIG. 12, a twisted carbon nanotube wire may include aplurality of carbon nanotubes helically oriented around an axialdirection of the twisted carbon nanotube wire. The twisted carbonnanotube wire can be a pure structure of carbon nanotubes. The twistedcarbon nanotube wire can be a freestanding structure. In one embodiment,the twisted carbon nanotube wire may include a plurality of successivecarbon nanotube segments joined end to end by van der Waals attractiveforce therebetween. Each carbon nanotube segment may include a pluralityof carbon nanotubes substantially parallel to each other, and combinedby van der Waals attractive force therebetween. The length of the carbonnanotube wire can be set as desired. A diameter of the twisted carbonnanotube wire may range from about 50 nanometers to about 100micrometers. Furthermore, the twisted carbon nanotube wire can betreated with a volatile organic solvent after being twisted. After beingsoaked by the organic solvent, the adjacent substantially parallelcarbon nanotubes in the twisted carbon nanotube wire will bundletogether, due to a surskin tension of the organic solvent when theorganic solvent volatilizes. The density and strength of the twistedcarbon nanotube wire will increase.

The carbon nanotube layer has a better flexibility than the firstflexible layer 102 and/or the second flexible layer 106. When the carbonnanotube layer is used as the functional layer 104 in the flexible sheet100, the flexibility of the entire flexible sheet 100 is not decreasedby the functional layer 104. The carbon nanotube layer has a largestrength, as such, no matter how the flexible sheet 100 is bent orpulled, and the carbon nanotube layer is not damaged.

In other embodiment, each of the plurality of functional layer 104 canfurther comprise a graphene layer. The graphene layer includes at leastone graphene. In one embodiment, the graphene layer is a pure structureof graphenes. The graphene layer structure can include a single grapheneor a plurality of graphenes. In one embodiment, the graphene layerincludes a plurality of graphenes, the plurality of graphenes is stackedwith each other and/or located side by side. The plurality of graphenesis combined with each other by van der Waals attractive force. Thegraphene layer can be a continuous integrated structure. The term“continuous integrated structure” can be defined as a structure that iscombined by a plurality of chemical covalent bonds (e.g., sp² bonds, sp¹bonds, or sp³ bonds) to form an overall structure. A thickness of thegraphene layer can be less than 100 nanometers. The carbon nanotubelayer can be overlapped with the graphene layer. The carbon nanotubelayer and the graphene layer can be two separated layers overlapped witheach other.

Referring to FIG. 13, a soft physiotherapy instrument 20 according to asecond embodiment is provided. The soft physiotherapy instrument 20comprises a flexible sheet (not labeled) and a controller 212. Theflexible sheet includes a first flexible layer 202 and a second flexiblelayer 206, the first flexible layer 202 and the second flexible layer206 are stacked with each other. The flexible sheet further includes aplurality of functional layers 204 sandwiched between the first flexiblelayer 202 and the second flexible layer 206 and a plurality ofelectrodes 208 electrically connected with the plurality of functionallayers 204. The plurality of functional layers 204 includes a pluralityof first functional layers 204 a located in a first region and aplurality of second functional layers 204 b located in a second region.Each of the plurality of electrodes 208 is electrically connected with apair of first functional layers 204 a, and is electrically connectedwith a second functional layer 204 b. In the embodiment according toFIG. 13, the plurality of functional layers 204 includes ten firstfunctional layers 204 a symmetrically distributed in the first region,and include three functional layers 204 b in the second region. The tenfirst functional layers 204 b include five pairs of first functionallayers 204 b, and each pair of first functional 204 b is numbered 1, 2,3, 4 and 5 in order from top to bottom of the flexible sheet. Theelectrodes electrically connected with the five pairs of firstfunctional layers 204 a is numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, which is the sameas the number of the first functional layers 204 a. The three secondfunctional layers 204 b are electrically connected with the threeelectrodes numbered 1, 3 and 5. That is, a difference of the number xand y of the adjacent second functional layers 204 b is 2.

Other characteristics of the soft physiotherapy instrument in the secondembodiment are the same as that of the soft physiotherapy instrument inthe first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 14, the present disclosure further provides a methodof using a soft physiotherapy instrument, the method comprises the stepsof:

-   -   Step S1: providing a soft physiotherapy instrument, the soft        physiotherapy instrument comprises a flexible sheet and a        controller;    -   Step S2: applying the flexible sheet on a user's skin; and    -   Step S3: turning on the controller and selecting a function        button on the controller, inputting a voltage to a plurality of        functional layer in the flexible sheet, at least one loop is        formed to generate current to stimulate skin of the user.

In step S1, the soft physiotherapy instrument is any one of the softphysiotherapy instruments 10, 20 and 30 discussed above.

Alternatively, before step S2, the flexible sheet can be furtherinfiltrated with a liquid, that is, before the flexible sheet of thesoft physiotherapy instrument is applied on the user's skin. The liquidcan be a medicine liquid.

In step S3, the controller includes a plurality of function buttons forcontrolling the flexible sheet. Each of the plurality of functionbuttons is used to control the functional layer inside the flexiblesheet to achieve the stimulating function. Each of the plurality offunction buttons can be configured to control a current magnitude, acurrent frequency, a position of the functional layer which the currentis input. The voltage applied on each two electrodes can be kept for apower-on time, and the voltage is stop for a dwell time, then thevoltage is applied to another two electrodes for another power-on timeand another dwell time.

In step S3, the voltage is applied between the two electrodes in cyclesof 1 and 2, 2 and 3, 3 and 4 . . . K-1 and K, so as to circulate the twopairs of first functional layers corresponding to each two electrodes. Aloop is formed between the controller, the two electrodes, two pairs offirst functional layers, the skin of the user between the two firstfunctional layers on one side, the skin of the user between the twofirst functional layers on the other side. A current is generated in theloop, as such, the skin of the user between the two first functionallayers on one side and the skin of the user between the two firstfunctional layers on the other side in the first region are stimulated.The two electrodes 108 with two neighbor number, e,g., K-1 and K, areconnected with the two pairs of first functional layer 104 a with twoneighbor number, e,g., K-1 and K. And there is no other functional layer104 a located between the adjacent functional layers on the same side.The user's skin located between the adjacent functional layers isstimulated. In this way, by sequentially or selectively applying voltageto the two electrodes 108 with adjacent numbers, the purpose ofsequentially or selectively stimulating the skin of the user atdifferent positions in the first region can be achieved.

The controller can also input a voltage between two electrodes that arenot adjacent in number. When the difference between the numbers x and yof the two electrodes is greater than or equal to 2, the two pairs offirst function layers corresponding to the two electrodes comprises twofirst functional layers on the same side separated with each other. Thetwo first functional layers on the same side is separated by at leastone first functional layer on the same side of the flexible sheet. Evenif a loop is formed between the controller, the two electrodes, twopairs of first functional layers, the skin of the user between the twofirst functional layers on one side, the skin of the user between thetwo first functional layers on the other side, since the two firstfunctional layers are farther apart on the same side of the flexiblesheet, the skin between the two first functional layer has a large area,the electrical resistance of the skin is relatively large, and thecurrent generated at this time will be very small, and the userbasically cannot feel it. On the other hand, when the two electrodesnumbered x and y are respectively connected to two second functionallayers, input voltage on the two electrodes, then another loop is formedbetween the two electrodes, the two second functional layers, the facialskin between the two second functional layers and the controller. Sincethe two electrically connected second functional layers 104 b areadjacent to each other, the current value is relatively large, which canstimulate the skin between the two secondary functional layers in thesecond region. As such, the skin in the second region is stimulated.Therefore, when the controller chooses to apply a voltage between twoelectrodes that are not adjacent to the number, it will not stimulatethe skin between the first functional layers in the first region, but itcan stimulate the skin between the second functional layers in thesecond region.

In one embodiment according to FIG. 2, in use of the soft physiotherapyinstrument, the electrodes 108 are energized according to thecirculation pattern of the electrodes numbered 1 and 2, 2 and 3, and 3and 4, thereby sequentially or selectively generating micro-currents inthe two pairs of first functional layers, which in turn stimulate theskin in the first region. In this embodiment, the power-on time of eachpair of electrodes 108 is 1 s and the dwell time is 1 s. That is, with acycle of 2 s, the power is first applied for 1 s, and then stopped for 1s, and this cycle is performed. Among them, the voltage applied on eachtwo electrodes is in a range of 20V-36V and the frequency of the voltageis 90 Khz.

Compared with the prior art, the soft physiotherapy instrument providedby the present invention has the following advantages: first, it candirectly fit on a user's skin without the need to hold it by hand, whichfrees the user's hands. Secondly, through controlling a circuit by thecontroller, the skin on the user's skin can be selectively stimulated,and the skin parts to be stimulated can be selected more accuratelywithout causing facial asymmetry. Third, the carbon nanotube layer isused as the functional layer, the carbon nanotube layer has a betterflexibility than the first flexible layer or/and the second flexiblelayer, and the flexibility of the entire flexible sheet will not bereduced due to the setting of the functional layers, the flexible sheetcan fit on the user's skin well, and the user has a high comfort degree.Fourth, the carbon nanotube layer is used as a functional layer, astrength of the carbon nanotube layer is relatively large, no matter howto bend and pull or clean the flexible sheet, the carbon nanotube layerwill not be damaged, and the flexible sheet has a long life.

Depending on the embodiment, certain blocks/steps of the methodsdescribed may be removed, others may be added, and the sequence ofblocks may be altered. It is also to be understood that the descriptionand the claims drawn to a method may comprise some indication inreference to certain blocks/steps. However, the indication used is onlyto be viewed for identification purposes and not as a suggestion as toan order for the blocks/steps.

The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Even thoughnumerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology havebeen set forth in the foregoing description, together with details ofthe structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure isillustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, especially inmatters of shape, size, and arrangement of the parts within theprinciples of the present disclosure, up to and including the fullextent established by the broad general meaning of the terms used in theclaims. It will therefore be appreciated that the embodiments describedabove may be modified within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for using soft physiotherapy instrumentcomprising: S1: providing a soft physiotherapy instrument, the softphysiotherapy instrument comprises a flexible sheet and a controller,wherein the flexible sheet comprises: a first flexible layer; a secondflexible layer overlapped with the first flexible layer; a plurality offunctional layers sandwiched between the first flexible layer and thesecond flexible layer, wherein the plurality of functional layerscomprises K pairs of first functional layers symmetrically located in afirst region and M second functional layers located in a second region,the K pairs of first functional layers are numbered 1, 2, 3 . . . K-1,and K, adjacent pairs of first functional layers have adjacent numbersK-1 and K; K electrodes, each of the K electrodes is electricallyconnected with a first functional layer and has a number the same as thefirst functional layer, and each of the M second functional layers iselectrically connected with an electrode, adjacent second functionallayers are electrically connected with two electrode with differentnumber x and y, and a distance between x and y is greater than or equalto 2; S2: applying the flexible sheet on a user's skin; and S3: turningon the controller and selecting a function button on the controller,applying a voltage to at least two electrodes and to generate a currenton the user's skin, and stimulating user's skin with the current.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet is movably coupled to thecontroller.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second flexible layeris directly attached in the user's skin, the second flexible layer is aporous structure with a plurality of micropores.
 4. The method of claim3, wherein, before applying the flexible sheet on the user's skin, theflexible sheet is infiltrated with a liquid.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the controller comprises a plurality of the function buttonsconfigured to control a current magnitude, a current frequency, aposition of a functional layer which a current is input.
 6. The methodof claim 1, the voltage is applied between the two electrodes in cyclesof 1 and 2, 2 and 3, 3 and 4 . . . K-1 and K, so as to circulate the twopairs of first functional layers corresponding to each two electrodes.7. The method of claim 1, a loop is formed between the controller, thetwo electrodes, two pairs of first functional layers, the user's skin ofthe user between the two first functional layers on one side, and theuser's skin of the user between the two first functional layers on theother side.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the voltage is kept for apower-on time and stop for a dwell time on two electrodes, and then thevoltage is applied to another two electrodes.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein K is the number of each of the plurality of electrodes, thevoltage is applied to each two electrodes in an order 1 and 2, 2 and 3,3 and 4 . . . K-1 and K.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of functional layers comprises a carbon nanotube layer, thecarbon nanotube layer comprises at least one carbon nanotube film. 11.The method of claim 10, wherein the carbon nanotube film comprises aplurality of successive and oriented carbon nanotubes joined end-to-endby van der Waals attractive force therebetween.
 12. The method of claim11, wherein the carbon nanotube film comprises a plurality ofsuccessively oriented carbon nanotube segments joined end-to-end by vander Waals attractive force therebetween, and each carbon nanotubesegment comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes substantially parallelto each other, and joined by van der Waals attractive forcetherebetween.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the carbon nanotubefilm comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes entangled with eachother.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the carbon nanotube filmcomprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes joined by van der Waalsattractive force, an angle between a primary alignment direction of thecarbon nanotubes and a surface of the carbon nanotube film is rangedfrom 0 degrees to 15 degrees.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein thecarbon nanotube layer comprises at least one carbon nanotube wire, theat least one carbon nanotube wire comprises a plurality of successivecarbon nanotube segments joined end to end by van der Waals attractiveforce therebetween and oriented along a length direction of the at leastone carbon nanotube wire.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the carbonnanotube layer comprises one carbon nanotube wire, the carbon nanotubewire is bended to form the carbon nanotube layer.
 17. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the carbon nanotube layer comprises a plurality ofcarbon nanotube wires crossed or weaved with each other.